Movie Man predicts King’s Speech’ will win Best Picture

Will Pfeifer

Sunday

Feb 27, 2011 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2011 at 10:18 AM

Here are my predictions for Sunday’s Academy Awards in the categories of the Register Star’s Beat the Movie Man contest.

Here are my predictions for Sunday’s Academy Awards in the categories of the Register Star’s Beat the Movie Man contest. I admit, I had a tough time choosing the winner in a few key races, and this could be the year the Movie Man gets beaten — badly. Check Tuesday’s GO section to see who made the most correct guesses.

Best Picture: Until recently, I would’ve guessed “The Social Network” was going to take the Oscar easily. But the spotlight has shifted from the Internet billionaire to the stuttering king, and “The King’s Speech” is going to win the big prize Sunday.

Best Director: However, I think this is going to be one of those years when the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars split, and David Fincher will take home this statue. He’s one of the great modern directors, so it’s an honor richly deserved.

Best Actor: Colin Firth is the heart and soul of “The King’s Speech,” and last year he lost to Jeff Bridges. This year, those results are going to be reversed and Firth will win the award. (Bridges is nominated for “True Grit.”)

Best Actress: In “Black Swan,” Natalie Portman is on-screen in almost every frame, and she gives the sort of performance that leaves the audience exhausted but impressed. In other words, she’s going to win.

Best Supporting Actress: I predict the two actresses from “The Fighter,” Amy Adams and Melissa Leo, will split the vote. And, because few people saw Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom” or talked about Helena Bonham Carter in “The King’s Speech,” the statue will go to Hailee Steinfeld, who makes her movie debut in “True Grit.” That’s the sort of story the Academy loves.

Best Supporting Actor: In “The Dark Knight,” Christian Bale played the subdued role while the late Heath Ledger delivered an over-the-top performance that won an Oscar. In “The Fighter,” Mark Wahlberg is the subdued lead, but Bale brings crazy energy to his performance, and he’s going to win for his effort. Plus, he lost a shocking amount of weight, and Oscar voters always love that.

Best Original Screenplay: I’d love to see “Inception” get some recognition for its mind-bending script, but this could be one of the categories carried off in a big night for “The King’s Speech.” Aw, the heck with it — I’m predicting “Inception.”

Best Original Song: Tough category. Will the Academy go with the live-action films (“Country Strong” and “127 Hours”) or the animated features (“Tangled” and “Toy Story 3.”) I’m betting that the voters go with the cartoons, and though there’s a lot of “Toy Story 3” love out there, I’m picking “I See the Light” from Disney’s “Tangled.” For some reason, that feels like an Oscar-winning song.

Will Pfeifer writes about DVDs for the Register Star on Saturdays. Contact him at wpfeifer@rrstar.com or 815-987-1244. Read his blog at blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/.

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